SAE to undergo chapter development plan in 2017, still under investigation

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Office of Greek Life and delegates from the National Office of Sigma Alpha Epsilon will institute a chapter development plan for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity at the beginning of the 2017 spring semester.

On Oct. 29, the university suspended SAE from participating in campus activities following the investigation of alleged misconduct that occurred at an SAE homecoming party, according to University Chief Communications Officer Jim Coll.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost Tom Burke met with the Associate Executive Director of Chapter Development for the National Office of SAE on Dec. 5 and both are currently conducting an extensive membership review of the chapter.

“The university is following its processes for addressing allegations of individual and organizational misconduct with regard to allegations of Code of Student Conduct violations and other policy violations, if any, against the Mississippi Sigma Chapter of SAE fraternity,” Burke said.

Burke said the university will address the allegations related to incidents of vandalism in the SAE fraternity house.

“The university is not ruling out the addressing of other violations of the Code or other policies that might be discovered during the course of the continuing investigation,” Burke wrote in a letter to Greek Life leaders. “At this time no criminal charges have resulted from the University Police Department’s investigation.”

According to Burke, all activities of the chapter, unless approved otherwise by the Director of Greek Life, will remain suspended until these processes have been completed. Burke said individual members of the chapter who are facing allegations of violations of the Student Code of Conduct and National Fraternity policies will be addressed by the Office of the Dean of Students.

“In addition, violations of the Student Code of Conduct and National Fraternity policies by the Mississippi Sigma Chapter as a student organization will also be addressed in a timely manner by the Office of the Dean of Students,” Burke wrote in a letter to Greek Life leaders. “ All are reminded that the review processes are continuing. Thus, new information regarding past infractions or new violations of applicable rules or regulations may result in additional actions by the university.”

Burke said the university hopes to resolve SAE issues by the end of the 2016 fall semester.